Juneteenth is a Day for both Celebration and Reflection

Today, on Juneteenth, we commemorate a critical moment in our nation's history—the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Black Americans were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is both a celebration of liberation and a solemn reminder of how delayed justice has shaped the lives of Black Americans for generations.

At Mazzoni Center, we recognize that the legacy of slavery and systemic racism continues to affect the health and well being of Black communities—particularly Black LGBTQ+ individuals, who face compounding disparities in access, care, and outcomes. Our work is grounded in the belief that health care must be equitable, inclusive, and affirming of every identity and experience.

We are proud to serve a richly diverse patient population and to center racial justice in our work. That includes: 

• Providing trauma-informed, comprehensive whole-person care
• Delivering culturally responsive services that meet people where they are
• Using data and quality improvement to close disparities and expand access

As we mark this day of freedom, we also uplift the enduring leadership of Black and Brown LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, whose voices, vision, and activism have shaped not only our city’s queer history, but the very foundation of Mazzoni Center’s work. From community health pioneers to organizers, artists, and advocates, their contributions have made our movement stronger, more compassionate, and more just.

On Juneteenth, we reaffirm our commitment to:

• Confronting structural racism within health care
• Elevating the needs and experiences of Black LGBTQ+ individuals
• Building systems that honor every person’s dignity, agency, and right to wellness

Our work is far from finished. We know that advancing equity requires continuous action, humility, and listening. We strive to ensure that Mazzoni Center’s staff, leadership, and patient population reflect the beautifully diverse communities that make up our city—and that every person who walks through our doors feels seen, respected, and truly cared for.

Today and every day, we celebrate Black freedom, leadership, and resilience—and recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of equity and liberation for all.